Government requiring higher nutrition and lower sodium in school food leading to declining purchases.

GLASTONBURY — The government is requiring school lunch programs to serve items with higher nutritional standards and lower sodium – but the result, at least locally, may be the reason fewer students are purchasing lunches and snack items.

Jessica D'Agnese, director of school food services, said there has been a decline in students participating in school meals. Students paying for lunch have decreased by 9 percent since the start of school. Students receiving reduced-price meals have declined 7 percent. Sales of snacks and a la carte items at Glastonbury High School are down by 13 percent.

"It's a trend in a lot of school districts," D'Agnese said. "It's a trend reflective of the new guidelines."

"It's really a national trend," Superintendent Alan B. Bookman added. "There are bills in Congress to undo the healthy food initiative. I don't know if that is a good idea, but what it says to you is the food service programs are losing a lot of money because kids aren't buying the food they used to buy.

"Can that reverse itself? Can they get used to the new food? Yes. But right now that is not happening," he said.

The school participates in the USDA's Smart Snacks Program and the state's Healthy Food Certification Program. The USDA requires meals to have a fruit or vegetable and all items sold a la carte in school to adhere to specific nutrition standards. D'Agnese said the state standards are even stricter than the federal guidelines.

D'Agnese said a good example of a popular snack that was eliminated under the program is Rice Krispy Treats. The school system must only offer 100 percent whole grain snacks. When the treat came out with a whole grain version, it was back on the menu.

"There are some products taken off the list that may have been a student's favorite," D'Agnese said. "The staff is constantly talking to students as they come in ... If something isn't working, we will pull it out and try something new."